Women's Fastbreak On SI

Azzi Fudd Announces She Will Forgo WNBA Draft in Favor of UConn Return

UConn Huskies star guard Azzi Fudd has decided to stay in college for one more season.
Grant Young|
Feb 12, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) reacts after her three point basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the second half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Feb 12, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) reacts after her three point basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the second half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

The biggest off-court question surrounding the 2025 NCAA women's basketball tournament was the looming decision that UConn Huskies star guard Azzi Fudd had to make in determining whether she was going to declare for the 2025 WNBA Draft or return for one more season at UConn.

When Fudd spoke with the media on March 21, before the 2025 NCAA Tournament began, she said, "I still haven't made that decision and will soon. I've talked to the coaches, talked to my family, and the decision is close," when asked about what she's eventually going to decide.

However, that decision has now been made: Fudd announced on Instagram Tuesday morning that she will be returning to UConn for one more season.

She made this announcement with a series of photos of her most recent season at UConn with the caption, "Hey Gampel, thanks for last night… See you next year🤗😝😏#onemoreyear".

ESPN women's basketball insider Alexa Philippou confirmed this news by reposting an X post from ESPN women's basketball that wrote, "Breaking: Azzi Fudd is returning to UConn next season, she announced on social media.

"Fudd told @AlexaPhilippou that returning will allow her to 'work on everything I need to work on' — and she believes one final year in Storrs will take her game to an all-new level."

It will be fascinating to see how Fudd can improve her game and her overall draft stock with one more season in college.

What's for sure is that Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma must be stoked about this decision from one of his best players.

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Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.

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